Easy Winter Health Formulas

It’s been a long couple of years. Many of us are feeling mental fatigue and existential stress, which negatively impacts our immune systems and overall wellbeing. This year, having some easy winter health formulas on hand feels more important than ever. They can’t cure the state of our world, but they often can help support our immune systems before we get sick and can provide some relief when we’ve caught whatever winter crud is going around. The following formulas have been Mountain Rose Herbs' favorites for a long time and are wonderful additions to your winter care routine. From our home to yours, we wish you a healthy, restful winter!

Our first recommendation might not be a “formula” exactly, but it is a time-tested, health-supporting standby: winter soups! Soups are nourishing, comforting, and fantastic vehicles for some of the best herbal allies. This winter we recommend checking out some of these recipes that pack a powerful amount of herbal goodness into every spoonful.

• How to Use TCM Herbs for Nourishing Soups
• Miso Ginger Soup with Vegan Dashi
• Tonic Mushroom Soup Recipe with Root Vegetables
• Vegan Coconut Curry & Sweet Potato Soup

 Now, without further ado, here are three of our favorite winter-support recipes.

Herbal Throat Spray Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 oz. organic echinacea extract
• 1 oz. organic goldenseal root extract or Oregon grape root extract
• 1 oz. organic oregano extract
• 2 Tbsp. raw honey

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a glass spray bottle and shake vigorously.
2. Say “ah” and spray 3 pumps into throat every hour or as needed.
3. Store spray in refrigerator for extra cooling effect.

First Signs Formula

Ingredients

• 1 oz. organic echinacea tincture
• 1 oz. organic elderberry tincture
• 1 oz. organic goldenseal root tincture or Oregon grape root tincture
• 1 oz. red root tincture

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients together in a 4 oz. glass dropper bottle and shake well.
2. At first signs of winter sniffles, take three droppers three times a day to support normal immune system functioning.

Winter Wellness Tea Blend
Makes 3 cups of tea. 

Ingredients

• 1 part organic eleuthero root
• 1/2 part organic ginger root
• 1/2 part organic elderberries
• 1/4 part organic cinnamon chips
• 1/4 part organic rosehips
• Water
• Organic lemon and honey (optional)

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Measure out 1/3 cup of tea blend and combine with 1 quart water. Gently simmer for 30 minutes, covered.
3. Strain, making sure to mash as much liquid as possible from the herbs with the back of a spoon.
4. Optional: add a squeeze of lemon and honey, to taste.
5. Put into a thermos to sip throughout the day or store extra tea in the refrigerator for up to two days and reheat as needed. 
6. Store remaining tea blend in a sealed container in a cool, dry, dark spot until ready to use.

Pro Tip

• If you need a reminder about how to measure in parts, this blog on the Folk Herbal Art of Measuring in Parts is a good guide.

Want to Learn More About Winter Wellness Formulas?

Check out this Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula for Winter Wellness

You may also enjoy:

• Ginger Root: Cultivation, History, and Recipes
• Mushrooms for Wellness
• Guide to Herbal Syrups for Natural Wellness